The Rev. C. Raydean Davis, 72, of Bloomington, died Thursday (May 1, 2014) at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.
His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Wesley United Methodist Church, Bloomington, with the Rev. Vaughn Hoffman officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Wesley United Methodist Church and one hour prior to service Monday at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington.
The Rev. C. Raydean Davis was born Aug. 9, 1941, in Alton, to Carl S. and Olive J. Files Davis. He married Myla Sue Tennis on March 18, 1965, in Greenville.
He received a master's degree in divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston. He was a United Methodist minister for 51 years. He was director of the Wesley Foundation at Illinois State University for 21 years.
He began his ministry in East St. Louis and served many other churches, including Kankakee, Saunemin and Fairfield. For the past eight years, he worked with Preachers’ Aid Society in the Great Rivers annual conference.
Throughout his career, he was involved with numerous clubs and organizations including, most recently, president of McLean County Wheelers and Habitat for Humanity.
One of his favorite pastimes was watching and coaching the grandkids' sporting events. He was a devoted husband, loving father, doting grandpa, a great caring person and one heck of a storyteller — most of which were true.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Myla Sue Davis, Bloomington; four children, Julie (Tom) Moore, Bloomington; Steven Ray Davis, Danvers; Brian (Megan) Davis, Normal; and Scott (Sharon Carr) Davis, Normal; nine grandchildren, Danielle, Erika and Jack Moore; Caitlyn Rose, Conor Ray and Wyatt Scott Davis; and Lauren, Jacob and Rachel Davis; one sister, Charlotte (Tom) Niksch, Evansville, Ind.; two brothers, Henry S. (Tamara J.) Davis, Bowling Green, Ky., and Cletus L. (Lola) Davis, Lebanon, Ohio; and one sister-in-law, Renette Davis, Arlington, Wash.
Pallbearers will be Steven, Brian, Scott and Tim Davis, Garrett Niksch and Tom Moore.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Paul Davis; and one granddaughter, Ashley Davis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to C. Raydean Davis Scholarship Fund at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston; Preachers’ Aid Society, Springfield; or Wesley United Methodist Church.
To share condolences and memories, visit www.calvertmemorial.com.